I was struggling to answer this one for a little while. In my life once I've accomplished something, I sometimes find it hard to look back and be proud of what I did. Even when logically, I know I did something special. For example, I'm very proud of going back to school and becoming a Microsoft Office Master Instructor. But it's hardly unique. Lots of people go back to school and learn different things, and it's difficult, often expensive and time-consuming. But enough people in my circle of friends and students (maybe my perspective is a little biased!) have shown enough strength and determination to go back to school themselves, and while I sincerely admire them all for that...it's not something unique that I did.
So after thinking for a while, I realised that the most unique thing I did in my life was that I emigrated from the UK to Canada! It's been almost 8 years now, and I still feel like a Canadian newbie sometimes! :) I wasn't even 20 when I left England. My parents and family were very upset. I was a little nervous and trying not to show it. We had a big party at my parent's house shortly before Rob and I left, and my dad gave me the best advice ever. He said that after about 6 months (or whenever), I would probably feel settled in. I would maybe have a job, or be in school, making friends and establishing my life. The first rush of excitement would wear off. He said that would be when the real homesickness would start. And the thing he advised me to do when this happened was to stick it out. Stick it out and things will be easier again in time. He was absolutely right.
We came over in September, and almost immediately we were thrown into preparations for my sister-in-laws wedding (very hectic!). After the wedding, there was Thanksgiving (in Canada it happens in October, not November, and in England we don`t celebrate Thanksgiving at all!), which required a turkey and preparations. November seemed a little more relaxed, but then there was Christmas. My first Christmas away from my parents and sister. It was daunting, but I got through it. And each month, everything seemed to get a little easier. I couldn`t work, so by January I was volunteering teaching computer classes with the Salvation Army. We kept extending my visitors pass, $75 every 6 months, and built up enough for me to apply for my citizenship.
I never stopped teaching the whole time I was applying for my citizenship. I made a lot of friends, and learned a lot of things about my new home. And I love it here. The weather is so extreme. The people are all so friendly. I`ve figured out what kind of work I enjoy doing (I never thought I`d work that out!). And even though sometimes I still miss my parents, I know they`re only a plane ride away if I need to go back.
Unique enough? :)
2 comments:
Unique is a tricky word. But I have done things, employment-wise, not within the realm of ordinary.
Because I have degrees in Linguistics & English Literature from Laurier, and another degree in Film Theory from U of W, I have experienced the world and North American culture in ways others perhaps have not.
Personal tragedy, in the past 15 years, has smothered a lot of my goals, but I try to stay busy at the things I know best. After graduation I spent my life living between Los Angeles and Toronto, doing an array of work that included script reading, doctoring and production. Always, I tried to maintained a voice in writing, whether it was film criticism, short stories, poetry or freelance journalism.
Recently, I was a Foreign Film critic for the popular website Awards Daily .com, and covered the Toronto Film Festival as well as other assignments. Some of my writing can be found here, under the moniker, John Villeneuve (mother's maiden name):
http://www.awardsdaily.com/2009/11/will-mother-make-it/#more-15245
http://www.awardsdaily.com/2009/12/oh-such-sweet-sorrow/#more-16051
http://www.awardsdaily.com/2009/12/an-interview-with-an-ampas-voter/#more-16172
http://www.awardsdaily.com/2009/11/the-no-good-the-bad-the-ugly-and-the-truly-putrid/#more-15552
http://www.awardsdaily.com/2009/11/samson-delilah-and-warwick-thorton/#more-15442
http://www.awardsdaily.com/2009/12/cubas-big-and-loud-what-the-fk/#more-16338
http://www.awardsdaily.com/2010/01/top-10-foreign-films-of-2009-and-10-alternates/
etc...
Sadly, a corporate editorial slant that required that I be less truthful (very common in todays market) when reviewing films (especially when their studios were paying large sums on advertising), left me exhausted and feeling very much the fraud. My conscience decided to leave (though I do have very fond memories of writers---Ryan Adams---who were able to dodge the propaganda mine-fields of Awards Daily.
Of course, there is a million stories and ancedots I could share, but, for the sake of brevity, I will leave it there.
I do have a suggestion though, Jess. Perhaps in future you may want to include more in your blog that could, down the road, appeal to more readers (which I believe is possible) that are not only tech-savvy, but culturally (artistically?) hungry, information wise, as well.
At any rate, I have enjoyed participating on your web-page. All the best, and continue the great personable stance you have in the community.
John Pastway
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